So apparently there is an excess baggage embargo on United from nov 15 to Jan 15. I think excess is defined as greater than 62 linear inches. I have tried calling United but was unable to get any real clarification. I donít want to plan on taking a board and then at the last minute get turned away. This embargo supposedly includes Baja. Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Am I still able to take a board and may have to pay whatever fee? Anyone have any advice ? Now that this embargo is officially in effect it would be good to hear from anyone that has faced this issue with United.

The minnow
Since 26 Jan 2009
395 Posts
argentinaObsessed

Wed Nov 15, 17 4:52 amGOLD

If you have status is differant!!_________________-know as the SECRET AGENT-

Wow, that's BS. Solution: Don't fly the unfriendly skies with United. They might give you a beat down if you argue about the baggage!

Try Delta or Alaska._________________Stay away from the jumping seals!

The CGKA is your advocate for Kiteboarding in the Gorge!

ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1073 Posts
Hood RiverXTreme Poster

Wed Nov 15, 17 12:37 pm

Fly Alaska.
Just returned from Maui with a coffin bag that's 6 feet long and a small bag that I also checked.
Alaska - "What's in the bag"?
Me - " Kites and surfboard".
Outbound - $25 fee for 2 bags. No charge for oversize.
Return - - $25 fee for 2 bags. No charge for oversize.

Alaska customer for life!

user124
Since 02 Aug 2012
264 Posts
PortlandObsessed

Wed Nov 15, 17 2:19 pm

I'm pretty sure at least some of the airlines do this every year as I've seen this warning before. Something to do with heavy holiday travel and people bringing gifts.

mp1
Since 23 Apr 2009
16 Posts
Portland, OR

Wed Nov 15, 17 6:21 pm

Doh! Good catch. Yet another reason not to fly United.

toddjb
Since 16 Oct 2007
269 Posts
MDObsessed

Thu Nov 16, 17 12:58 pm

mp1 wrote:

Doh! Good catch. Yet another reason not to fly United.

I haven't bought a plane ticket since Spring, but was just looking to book a snow trip this winter and was surprised to find that
the rack rate for United (the one that comes up on your kayak search) no longer includes seat assignments! I think carry-on might even incur fees now.

Basically, if I want to pick my seat AND want the option to purchase Economy Plus for more leg room, I have to buy a higher priced ticket to begin with.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck them. Frontier started this sh*t last year and I stopped flying with them. Started with luggage fees by most airlines, just continues to get worse...

aksurfer
Since 30 Aug 2010
90 Posts
Anchorage, AK

Thu Nov 16, 17 3:35 pm

If you are a surfer/kiter its pretty tough to beat AkAirlines

lewmt
Since 04 Aug 2010
148 Posts
MTStoked

Thu Nov 16, 17 7:52 pm

Another vote for Alaska! Delta is equally baggage anal. Sometimes even free Ak. Amber or wine in the low rent sections of the plane. Get their VISA card & 1st checked bag is free + airline miles. I think it also helps to let the desk people know you really appreciate their baggage policy. Hopefully they'll keep it.

I think the biggest lesson you can take away from this is "Do your research." Most people that buy airline tickets just click on the lowest price their internet search comes up with. That is what drives up front prices down and add on fees up. It's a fact of life in the industry. If you want better service, fly an airline that gives it to you. Don't just click on the lowest price, check baggage policies and secondary fees before you click. Report your experiences here and on other forums. If you have a bad experience, report it with specifics. Call the airline and complain. It's kind of silly though to complain about fees you knew about before buying a ticket. But if the airline hid the fee or the baggage policy, then complain vociferously, but politely. You might be pleasantly surprised by what happens next if you do..._________________Stay away from the jumping seals!

The CGKA is your advocate for Kiteboarding in the Gorge!

skideeppow
Since 26 Aug 2011
432 Posts

Obsessed

Fri Nov 17, 17 7:27 am

SO i showed up 40 minutes prior to dep to goto SJD last week. They wouldn't check my bags. This was a tiny airport, Aspen. So i went the next day.
$200 bag fee for my "golf" bag. They said, oh its international so its $200. I was like, WTF, you dont treat it like international on the weight limit. Int means 70lbs. But i can only bring 50lbs.
But they charge you the int'l fee for the golf bag.

Long story short, $25 fee if the bag is under 158cm (mine's 155cm but I'm taking twin-tips, surf boards would probably kick it up to the $100 bracket).

I've had excellent experiences with Alaska Airlines too with my kite/board bags. I'll post about my experience with American after my trip.

Happy travels and good winds.

user124
Since 02 Aug 2012
264 Posts
PortlandObsessed

Fri Nov 17, 17 11:42 am

Nak wrote:

I think the biggest lesson you can take away from this is "Do your research." Most people that buy airline tickets just click on the lowest price their internet search comes up with. That is what drives up front prices down and add on fees up. It's a fact of life in the industry. If you want better service, fly an airline that gives it to you. Don't just click on the lowest price, check baggage policies and secondary fees before you click. Report your experiences here and on other forums. If you have a bad experience, report it with specifics. Call the airline and complain. It's kind of silly though to complain about fees you knew about before buying a ticket. But if the airline hid the fee or the baggage policy, then complain vociferously, but politely. You might be pleasantly surprised by what happens next if you do...

For sure - so much of the decline of services in the airline industry is because of the search for the cheapest price. Of course a flying cattle car is cheaper than a first class experience. Of course airline mergers and the monopolistic strategies of airlines doesn't help since sometimes there is only one option.

This is one of the reasons I love Alaska. We are lucky to have so many good flight options out of Portland. But I try not to focus as much on price alone for airfare. I'll fly Alaska even if it's a bit more expensive and I'll avoid United if at all possible.

I'll fly Alaska even if it's a bit more expensive and I'll avoid United if at all possible.

Amen.

An aside: one interesting phenomenon Iíve noticed over the years is that generally speaking, the longer the flight & the more exotic the destination, the worse the service is. United rewards seniority among flight crew members by letting them select primo destinations, so itís usually on those flights when you get the most hardened, crusty battle-axes pouring what used to be your complimentary drinks...

I have never more happily walked away from a pile of miles than when I ditched United.

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